Electric token delivery device



July 16, 1940. B. E. MILLS ELECTRIC TOKEN DELIVERY DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1937 muni E mi ,1

Juil/"16, 1940. B. E. MILLS v ELECTRIC TKEN DELIVERY DEVICE Filed Sept. 25. 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zzgl;

July 16, 1940 B. E. MILLS 2,208,515

ELECTRIC TOKEN DELIVERY DEVICE Filed Sept. 25, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 16, 1940. B E, M|LL5 2,208,515

ELECTRIC TOKEN DELIVERY DEVICE Filed Sept. 25, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Zay-f July 16, 1940.

B. E. MILLS l 2,208,515

ELECTRIC TOKEN DELIVERY DEVICE Filed Sept. 25, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 11a.' ellill Patented July is, 1940 2,208,515

`ELECTRIC TOKEN DELIVERY DEVICE Bert E. Mills, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to .Mills Novelty Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September i5, 1937, Serial No. 165,623 20 Claims. (Cl. 3 1248) This invention relates to electrically operated tatable commutator is provided, which is comdevices for delivering tokens, checks, coins, or mon to all of the control circuits, such commuthe like. An object of the invention is to provide tator controlling the operation of motor means such a device, of relatively simple and inexpensive which continues to advance it until-it opens the 5 construction, in which the closing of any one of a particular circuit which has been energized by 5 plurality of remote-control switches will conthe closing of a remote control switch, and also trol the operation of the delivery mechanism so controlling the operation of the release mechaas to cause the latter to deliver a number of nism in accordance with the the extent of its tokens or coins corresponding to the value which own advance.

l has been assigned to the particular switch that Other objects of the invention will become ap- 10 has been closed. parent from consideration of the following de- The invention is applicable to money-changers tailed description in connection with the accomand to check-controlled amusement games of the panying drawings, in which: type in which the operator, by the use of skill Figure 1 is a plan view of a token delivery l in the playing of the game, may cause the closing mechanism embodying the invention; 15 of one of a plurality of remote-control switches, Figure 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view respectively controlling the delivery of tokens or through the same, taken on the line 2 2 oi' Figchecks in varying number, whereby the further ure l; play oi' the game is facilitated by the delivery to Figure 3 is a horizontal, sectional view of the the player, in numbers commensurate with his same, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

skill, of tokens or checks usable to unlock the Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a device playing mechanism for further play. embodying the invention;

An object of the invention is to utilize a token Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified form of ejector which is in the form of a rotatable disc the invention; having pockets adapted to receive tokens from a Figure 6 is a side elevation of the modification 25 magazine and translate them to a delivery openshown in Figure 5;

ing. Such an ejector may deliver the same num- Figure 7 is a horizontal, sectional view taken ber oi tokens from each pocket, the total number on the line l-l of Figure 6;

depending upon the number of pockets from Figure 8 is a horizontal, sectional view, taken which delivery is made, or may deliver varying on the line 8-8 of Figure 6;

numbers of tokens from different pockets which Figure 9 is a vertical, sectional view taken as are constructed to provide varying capacity, the indicated by the line 9-9 of Figure 8; latter arrangement having the advantage of Figure 10 is a wiring diagram of the modied greater compactness. form; and

Another object of the invention is to provide Fig. 11 is a sectional detail taken substantially u an arrangement in which a complete cycle of on the section line lI-Il of Fig. 3. movement, IeSlllting 1n a C0111 01 token delivery, I have shown in the drawings an illustrative is initiated each time a remote control switch is embodiment of the invention comprising a declosed. vice provided with a series of remote-control o The present inventiOn makes it possible t0 switches, which are indicated at Si, S2, S3, S4, o achieve the foregoing objects in connection with S5, S6, S1, S8, S9, and Sill in Figure 4. If used the use oi' the type of ejector mentioned, by proin a conventional money-changing device, each viding for rotating the ejector a complete revoof these switches would be equipped with an aplution each time the device is operated, so as to propriately designated key so as to control the bring it back to the same initial position each payout of varying numbers and denominations time without retrograde movement. This is prefof coins. If used in connection with an amuseerable to allowing an element as heavy as an ment game of the type, for example, commonly ejector of the type contemplated, to return to known as pin games, each of the switches may its initial position by retrograde oscillation. be associated with an opening or pocket for re- Variation in the amount of the delivery is efceiving a ball played by a player who, if skillful fected by the provision of means for restraining enough, may be able to cause the ball to drop delivery of the tokens from the ejector during a into one of the pockets designated with a high portion of its revolution, such means being adaptvalue, so as to receive a correspondingly high ed to release tokens under the variable control number of tokens. For example, the switch Si u oi a plurality of remote control circuits. A romay be designated to cause delivery oi one token, n

the switch S2 to cause delivery of two tokens, the switch S3 to cause delivery of three tokens, etc.

Turning now to the mechanism shown in Figures l to 4 inclusive, there is provided an ejector disc Il, rotatably mounted upon a stud I2 projecting upwardly from a base plate I3 upon which the delivery mechanism is mounted. The ejector disc II is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced openings or pockets I4, each of which is adapted to receive a token or tokens from a magazine I5 in which the tokens are stored. 'I'he magazine I5 is mounted in a shoe I6, which in turn is secured, as by means of screws I1, to the lower side of a plate I8 xedly associated with the base plate I3 by means of screws or bolts I9 and spacing washers 20 (Figure 3).

In the base plate I3, offset laterally from the discharge mouth of the magamne I5, and beneath the end of the shoe I6 opposite from the magazine I5, is a token delivery port 2|. The magazine I5,

.the discharge port 2|, and the ejector pockets I4 are all located equidistantly from the axis of rotation of the disc I so that the pockets I4 may first register with the discharge mouth of the magazine I5 to receive tokens therefrom and thence register with the discharge port 2| to allow such tokens to drop through the port 2| when the latter is open.

The port 2| is adapted to be closed by a gate 22, pivoted at 23 to the underside of the base plate I3, and controlled by a solenoid 24 coacting with an armature 25 which is connected by a link 26 to an arm 21 of the gate 22. The gate 22 is adapted to swing around its pivot 23, from a position beneath the discharge port 2| to a position wherein the port 2| is open for the full area of a pocket I4. It may be noted in this connection that one side of the port 2| opens into a slot 28 which is disposed on an arc about the pivot 23, and that the gate 22 is provided with a seat 29 extending upwardly to the level of the upper face of the base plate I3 and adapted to substantially fill the port 2| when the gate is in closed position so as to allow tokens carried by the pockets I4 to slide smoothly across the port 2|, supported upon the smooth upper face of the seat 29 in doing so.

Means are provided for causing the ejector disc II to rotate a full revolution upon the closing of any one of the remote-control switches SI, S2, etc., for closing the gate 22 at the start of such revolution, and for thereafter causing a delayed opening of the gate 22, the period of delay depending upon the control switch that has been closed, and for holding the gate 22 open until the disc I I has completed the remainder of its revolution, whereby the number of tokens delivered will depend upon the number of pockets I4 which pass across the port 2| after the gate 22 has been opened. This mechanism will now be described.

Secured to the ejector disc II and rotatably mounted on the stud I2 is a ratchet wheel 30 having a plurality of ratchet teeth 3 I, the number of teeth, for convenience, equalling the number of switches SI, S2, etc. The ratchet wheel 30 is rotated by means of a reciprocating drive bar 32 (Figure 1), slidably mounted between rollers 33 journaled on studs 34 threaded intov the plate I8, and held down by washers 35 also mounted on the studs 34. Projecting downwardly from the bar 32 is a pin 36 (indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1) which engages between the furcations (Figure 3) of a fork 33, the hub 39 of which is journaled upon the stud I2. Plvoted at 40 to the fork 38 is a pawl 4I which is held in yieldable engagement with the teeth 3| of the ratchet wheel 30 by means of a coil spring 42 secured at 43 to the pawl 4I and at 44 to the fork 39.

The drive bar 32 is actuated in one direction by an armature 46 of a solenoid 46, and in the other direction by a coil spring 41, secured at one end to a bracket 49 attached to the plate I3, and, at its other end. lto a pin 60 by means of which the drive bar 32 is pivoted to the armature 45. The solenoid, when energized, draws the armature 46 in the direction indicated by the arrow 6I, and the spring 41, when the solenoid 46 is de-energized, returns the drive bar 32 to its initial position. During the movement toward the solenoid, the pin 36 of the drive bar 32 swings the fork 38 in the direction indicated by the arrow 62, and the pawl 4I will thereupon rotate the ratchet 39 through an arc corresponding to the length of one of the teeth 3|. During the return movement, the pawl 4I will ride over the tooth following the one that has been engaged and drop behind said following tooth in position to engage the same upon the next reciprocation of the drive bar 32.

The solenoid 46 is supplied with electric current through wires 53 and 54 (Figures 1 and 4). In the wire 54 there is inserted a switch 55 mounted in a casing 55 supported on a bracket 56 secured to the plate I8 and having an actuating lever 51 projecting over the drive bar 32.

As long as the circuit including the wires 5 3 and 54 is closed at all points other than the switch 55, the solenoid 46 will be intermittently energized in the following manner: The switch 55 is normally closed by the engagement of the actuating lever 51 by an arm 58 of a U-shaped actuator 59 secured to the drive bar 32. The spring 41 tends to hold the bar 32 in a position in which the actuator 59 will thus hold the switch 55 closed. Thus when the remainder of the circuit is closed. the solenoid 46 will be energized, causing the drive bar 32 to move in the direction 5| to its extreme advanced position in which the second arm 60 of the actuator 69 will engage the lever 51 to open the switch 55. This will open the circuit until the spring 41 has returned the drive bar 32 to its normal rest position, thus causing the switch 55 to be again closed, and the cycle o! operations just described will be repeated until the circuit is broken elsewhere.

The opening and closing of the gate 22 is controlled by a commutator 63, which is mounted upon the reduced upper end 6I of the stud I2. The commutator 63 is mounted upon a ratchet wheel 62 through the medium of a spacing washer 64 to which it is secured by rivets 65. The assembly of ratchet wheel 62 and commutator 63 is supported by the engagement of the hub 68 of the ratchet wheel upon a shoulder 69 formed between the enlarged lower portion of the stud I2 and the reduced upper portion 6I thereof, and is held down by a washer 10 and screw 1I extending through said washer 10 and threaded into the upper end of the reduced portion 6| of the stud.

A pawl 12 (Figure 1) is pivoted at 13 upon the drive bar 32, and engages the teeth 14 of the ratchet wheel 62, being yieldingly held in such engagement by a coil spring 15 attached at 16 to the arm 11 of the pawl 12 and at 13 to the drive bar 32.

A retaining pawl 19 is pivoted at 80 to the plate I3, and engages the teeth 14 to retain the commutator assembly in each step of its oscillation from initial to final position.

'I'he commutator 63 includes a disc 66 of insulating material and, secured thereon, a contact sector 8|, against the anged periphery 82 of which a plurality of brushes 83 are engaged, one for each of the remote-control switches SI, S2, etc. Wires 84 connect the respective brushes 83 to the respective switches SI, S2, etc., through the medium of a suitable terminal block 85.

The primary purpose of the commutator is to regulate the opening and the closing of the gate 22. To this end, the commutator is connected by means of a wire 86 and a wire 81 to the solenoid 24 which actuates the gate 22, and the length of time the solenoid is energized depends upon the particular remote-control circuit which has been closed, all of such circuits clearing through the commutator |59, as is apparent from an inspection of Figure 4.

For example, if the switch S4 has been closed, calling for the delivery of four tokens, a circuit will be established through the wire 84 leading from the switch S4, and the contact 83 connected to said wire, thence through the contact sector 8|, the wires 86 and 81, the solenoid 24, and the wire 88 -to the'source of current 89, the latter being connected through a master switch 90 and the wire 9| to the bank of switches SI, S2, etc.

Simultaneously, another circuit will be established, as will hereinafter be explained in detail, through the drive solenoid 46, whereupon the latter will commence to oscillate the ratchet wheel 62 through the medium of the pawl 12, in step-by-step movements, advancing the ratchet wheel 62 one tooth 14 at a time. When six steps of such movement have been completed, the conta'ct sector 8| will have been oseillated to a posiiton where it has broken contact with the brush 83 associated with the switch S4. The gate 22, which was closed at the beginning of the cycle oi' movement, will thereupon be allowed to open by the de-energization of the solenoid 24, and the ejector disc I I continues to rotate, as will hereinafter more fully be explained, and will thereupon commence to discharge tokens through the discharge port 2|, until a complete revolution of the disc has been made. Since the gate 22 remained closed during six steps of movement, the number of tokens delivered will be those carried by the remaining four pockets I4.

The means for causing the commutator to rotate comprises two circuits for energizing the solenoid 46, one a starting circuit and the other a running circuit. The starting circuit comprises a brush 95a, a wire 86 connecting the same to the main commutator sector 8|, the brush 83, wire 84, and switch S4 (or whichever control switch hasbeen closed), the wire 9| and master switch 90, the source of current 89, the wire 88, the solenoid 4S and its operating switch 55, the wire 54, and a sector 93 of a secondary commutator including an insulating disc 61 on which the sector 93 is mounted. The sector 93 has a depending flange 94 which is contacted by the brush 95a. When the commutator has made one step of rotation, the starting circuit is deenergized by the moving of the sector'93 out of contact with the brush 95a. The running circuit simultaneously picks up the load of supplying current to the solenoid 46. This circuit comprises the brush 95, a wire 96 connected thereto, the wire 9|, the master switch 90, the source of current 89, the wire 88, the solenoid 46 and its operating switch 55, and the wire 54 connecting the switch 55 to the sector 93. This circuit will remain closed irrespective of the opening of the gate control circuit, until the full number of steps of movement have been completed.

After the cycle of movement has been completed, the commutator will remain in the nal position until released by a manual release lever 91 (Figure 2) pivoted at 98 on a bracket 99 secured to the plate I8, and adapted to engage the heel of the pawl 19. As it thus moves the pawl 19 away from the ratchet wheel 62, the pawl 19 will in turn move the pawl 12 away from the ratchet wheel 62, and the latter will then be returned to its initial position by a coil spring IOI (Figure 1), attached at |02 to the ratchet wheel 62, and to an ear |03 on the bracket 99. This will cause the commutators to oscillate back to initial position. Simultaneously with the release of the pawls, the master switch 90 is opened by the link 90a connected to lever 91 (Figure l). The release lever 91 may be connected, in a game, to the mechanism for releasing the balls for further play of the game.

In order that the ejector disc II may stop at the end of each step of movement with its respective pockets I4 in proper registry with the magazine I and discharge port 2| respectively, I provide a locating pawl |05 pivoted at |06 to the base plate I3 (Figure 3) and having the triangleshaped nose |01 engageable in V-shaped notches |08 in the periphery of the disc I I. The pawl |01 is yieldingly urged against the periphery of the disc II by the spring |09 vcoiled around the pivot pin |06, engaging a pin IIO mounted in the pawl |05, and, at its other end, engaging a lug III on the base plate I3.

The ratchet wheel 62 has approximately twice as many teeth as the ratchet wheel 3|, so that the ejector disc II may rotate a complete revolution while the commutators rotate only approximately one-haii' revolution.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 5 to 9 inclusive, a plurality of coin-delivering gates 22a are pivoted at II2 in slots II3 in the ejector IIa which otherwise is similar in construction with that in the form of the invention hereinbefore described.

When in closed position, the gates 22a form bottoms for the pockets Ila, and it is contemplated that the number of coins handled by one pocket may be different from the number of coins handled by another pocket, the difference being arranged for by locating the gates 22ar at different levels below the top o! the ejector IIa, as indicated in Figures 7 and 9.

Means for selectively opening the gates 22a comprise a rotatable selector .I I8 having upwardly projecting lingers I|1 adapted to be selectively oscillated into a position intersecting the rotative path oi fingers II6 projecting downwardly from arms IIB on the respective gates 22a. The ilngers ||8 and |I1 are progressively varied in length in the order of their peripheral arrangement, so that the first ci the fingers II1 will engage only one of the fingers |I6 to open a single gate, the second of the fingers |I1 will engage the first and second of the fingers II6 to open the rst and second gates, etc.

Each gate 22a is urged toward a closed position by a coil spring II4 coiled around its pivot II2, the respective ends of the coil spring engaging the fingers I I8 o! gate 22a and the ejector I Ia.

The selector II8 is selectively controlled so as to bring any one of the lingers I I1 into operative position, by the commutator which, in this form of the invention, comprises a plurality of contact brushes ||9 mounted upon the upper end of the shaft |20, the lower end of which carries the selector ||8. The moving of the commutator and operating member ||8 into selective position is accomplished in a step-by-step manner by a repeating solenoid 46a having an armature 46a pivoted at |2| to a reciprocating drive bar |22 slidably mounted between guide rollers |23 on the upper side of the plate |8a. A coil spring |24 secured at one end to the drive bar |22 and at its other end to the plate |8a, advances the drive bar |22, thereby causing the pawl |25, pivoted at |26 upon the bar |22, to move the ratchet wheel |21 one notch ahead and thereby rotate through one step of movement the shaft |20, on theintermediate region of which the ratchet wheel |21 is secured. The pawl |28, pivoted at |29 to the plate |8a, is urged by a spring |30 into engagement with the ratchet wheel |21 to hold the same in each of the positions to which it is thus moved.

The panel |3| of insulating material is mounted above the ratchet wheel |21 on posts |32 secured to the plate |8a, and carries a plurality of pairs of contacts, each including an inner contact |33 and an outer contact |34, each pair being electrically connected together. The inner contacts |33 are contacted by the brushes ||9 and the outer contacts |34 are contacted by a brush |35. Each of the contacts |33 is connected to a wire 84a of the remote-control circuit hereinbefore described.

If the circuit calling for the dispensing of a single token is energized by the closing of switch SI, the commutator will advance one step, causing the last of the brushes ||9 to leave the contact |33 which has thus been energized by the wire 84 of this No. l circuit. This will cause the circuit to be broken and the commutator to stop in the first of its advanced positions. In this advanced position of the commutator, the shaft |20 will have carried the operating member ||8 -to a position where the No. 1 nger ||1 is disposed in the path of the No. 1 nger ||6. The ejector ||a will then be caused to rotate a complete revolution, by a small electric motor |36, mounted on the plate I8a. Said motor |36 has a worm |31 engaging a worm wheel |38 on a shaft |39 journaled in brackets |40 on the motor |36. To the shaft |39 is secured a disc |4| which carries an eccentric pin or roller |42 in driving engagement in a slot |43 with a bracket |44 secured to the ejector drive bar 32.

The motor |36 is controlled by the brush |35 which, in any of the advanced positions of the commutator, establishes through one of the contacts |34, a circuit in parallel with the circuit to the solenoid 46a. To this end, the brush |35 is connected to the motor through a wire |45, the other side of the motor being connected by means of a Wire |46 to the wire 88a, which, through a wire 53a connects the solenoid 46a to the main circuit including the current supply 89a and master switch 90a. This circuit continues on through the several control switches SI, S2, etc., the wires 84a, the commutator ||9, |33, the wire 86a, and the solenoid actuating switch 55a, and the wire 54a, back to the solenoid 46a. The brush |35, being positioned one step behind the last of the brushes ||9, will move onto the live contact |34 while the last brush I9 moves off the corresponding live contact |33 and onto a dead contact |33.

Thus it will be seen that the circuit to the aaoacis mai-,or ne 1s not established unal after the circuit to the solenoid a is brokeni. e., the motor |36 commences to operate'after theA commutator has moved up to the selecting position.

The mechanism connecting the drive bar 32a to the ejector Ila is similar to that described in connection with the form of the invention shown in Figures l to 4,1nclusive, and the same reference characters are therefore used to denote the parts thereof.

1f a control circuit subsequent to the No. 1 circuit is energized, as, for example, by the closing of switch S4, the commutator, as it is moved to each of the intervening positions, will continue to establish the circuit through the soienoid 46a owing to the fact that there is a brush ||9 for each one of the contacts |33, and succeeding brushes will engage the live contact until the last brush has left the same.

The circuit through the motor |36 is broken at the end of a complete revolution of the ejector ila, by the action of a cam |48 formed on the periphery of the ejector lia, engaging a levers' |49 pivoted at |50 upon the base plate |3a, and having its oppositeend 15| in engagement with a pin |52 mounted in the drive bar |22 and pro jecting through a. slot |54 (Figure 9) in the plate la.

Movement of the pin |52 by the arm |5| will cause the slide bar |22 to be once again reciprocated, without the assistance of the solenoid 46a, and, as a result, the commutator will be advanced one more step, thereby causing the brush |35 to move off the live contact |34 and onto a dead one, thus breaking the circuit through the motor |36 and causing the revolution of the ejector ||a to stop.

The mechanism is reset for a subsequent operation by the resetting lever 91a, pivoted upon the bracket |59 and having its lower end engaged in a slot |64 in a slide bar |53 (Figure 8). The bar |53 is slidably mounted on the upper side of the plate |8a just beneath the ratchet wheel |21 by means of a screw |55 extending through a slot |56 in the bar |53 and threaded into the plate |8a, and at its other end by means of the post |32 which extends through a slot |51 in the bar |53. A spring |58 attached at one end to the bar |53 and at its other end to a bracket |59 projecting upwardly from the plate |8a, normally maintains the bar |53 in the position shown in Figure 8. During the resetting operation, the lever 91a moves the bar |53 toward the pawl |28, whereupon a cam lug |60 on the bar |53 will engage a pin |6| depending from the pawl |28 and will move the latter out of engagement with the ratchet wheel |21. Simultaneously the end of the pawl |28 will move the pawl |25 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel |21. The pawl |25 is normally urged into engagement with the ratchet wheel |21 by a spring |62 attached at one end to the arm |63 of the pawl |25 and at its other end to the drive bar |22.

Release of the ratchet wheel |21 allows the spring |0|a to oscillate the commutator and selector assembly back to starting position. The spring |0|a is attached to and partially wound around a reel |65 formed on the ratchet wheel |21.

By reference to Figure 9 it will be noted that the shaft |20, to which the ratchet wheel |21, selector ||8, and commutator |33 are xedly secured, is journaled in the plates |3a and |8a, and extends freely through an opening |66 in the panel |3|. Commutator brushes ||9 are preferably formed from a single sheet of material, and the brushes ||9 and |35 are clamped by Lthe insulating discs |61 secured against a shoulder on the upper end of the shaft |20 by means of a nut |68 threaded onto the upper end of the shaft.

In the operation of the form of the invention just described, when applied to a game, the game is placed in condition for playing by closing the master switch a, and during the play, one of the switches SI, S2, etc. may be closed according to the skill of the operator. The closing of one of these control switches will establish a circuit through one of the contacts |33 and one of the arms of the brush H9, which, in Figures 5 and 10, is shown in its initial position. This will establish a circuit through the wire 86a, solenoid 46a, and wire 88a, back to the control switch, causing the solenoid 46a to attract the armature 45a, thus moving the drive bar |22 into position where the armature and selector assembly will be moved one step in advance of the initial position. Simultaneously the switch 55a will be opened', and the spring |24 will then draw the bar |22 back to its initial position. 'I'his operation will be repeated until the last arm of the brush ||9 has moved across the live contact |33 onto a dead contact.

Thereupon the circuit through the solenoid 46a will be broken and the circuit through the motor |36 will be simultaneously established by the moving of the brush |35 onto the live contact |34. The motor |36 will then drive the bar 32a through the successive reciprocations, each one advancing the ejector ||a one step, until the ejector has made a complete revolution, whereupon the cam |48 will engage the lever |49 and cause the bar |22 to make one additional reciprocation, thus moving thebrush |35 ofi` the live contact and breaking the motor circuit.

It will -now be understood that in both forms of the invention, the ejector is rotated a full revolution, and the number of tokens delivered depends on the opening of the gate mechanism, a single gate being used in one form of the invention and the variation being effected by variation in the length of time the gate is allowed to remain open, whereas, in the other form of the invention, each pocket of the ejector has its own gate, and the variation is eiected by varying the number of gates which are open, some of the gates controlling pockets adapted to discharge agreater number-of tokens than other pockets.

In each form of the invention, the mechanism which rotates the ejector also exerts more or less control over the commutator, in one case being the sole means for rotating the commutator, and in both cases being the means for moving the commutator through the last step which opens the motor circuit. In one case the commutator and ejector rotate simultaneously and in the other case the commutator-selector assembly completes its selecting operation prior to the operation of the ejector. In .each form of the invention, the mechanism goes through .a complete cycle of movement, including both selecting and ejecting operations, each time a control switch is closed, and is reset back to initial position before the next cycle of movement is allowed to commence. Among other advantages this makes it possible to employ the device successfully in a gaine wherein each play constitutes the shooting of a single ball as contrasted to the playing of a number of balls.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an electric token delivery device, a token magazine, a rotatable ejector adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to a discharge point, electrically operated release mechanism at said discharge point for controlling the release of tokens from said ejector, a plurality of circuits variably controlling said release mechanism so as to vary the number of tokens delivered by said ejector during a predetermined cycle of operation, each circuit including an individual control switch and a control common to all of said circuits, said common control being adapted, when one of said circuits is energized by the closing of its individual control switch, to move a predetermined distance, varying in accordance with which switch is closed, and to thereupon open the energized circuit, and means for causing the ejector to make a complete revolution and to return to its initial position during each of such cycles of operation, said ejector having a series of pockets which carry a. plurality of tokens to or past the discharge point on each cycle of operation during which the release mechanism allows a varying number of tokens to be discharged from one or more of said pockets.

2. In an electric token delivery device, a token magazine, a rotatable ejector adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to a discharge point, electrically operated release mechanism at said discharge point for controlling the release of tokens from said ejector, a plurality of circuits variably controlling said release mechanism so as to vary the number of tokens delivered by said ejector during a predetermined cycle of operation, each circuit including an individual control switchand one of a plurality of contacts, a rotatable commutator normally engaging said contacts, and adapted, when any one of said control circuits is energized, to rotate so as to iinally disengage the contact of the energized circuit, and means for causing the ejector to make a complete revolution and to return to its initial position during each of such cycles of operation, said ejector having a series of pockets which carry a plurality of tokens to or past the discharge point on each cycle of operation during which the release mechanism allows a varying number of tokens to be discharged from one or more of said pockets.

3. In an electric token delivery device, a. token magazine, a rotatable'ejector adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to a discharge point, means for causing predetermined rotation of said ejector during each cycle of operation, electrically operated release mechanism at said discharge point for controlling the release of tokens from said ejector, a plurality of circuits variably controlling said release mechanism so as to vary the number of tokens delivered by said ejector during a predetermined cycle of operation, each circuit including an individual control switch and one of a plurality of contacts, a rotatable commutator normally engaging said contacts, means, energized by whichever of said circuits is energized, for advancing said commutator until the latter disengages the contact of the energized circuit and thereby opens said circuit, and means, energized at the end of the movement of said commutator, for causing the ejector to finish one complete revolution, said ejector having a. series of pockets which carry a plurality of tokens to or past the discharge point on each cycle of operation during which the release mechanism allows a varying .number of tokens to be discharged from one or more of said pockets.A y

4. In an electric token delivery device, a token magazine, a rotatable ejector adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to a discharge point,- electrically operated release mechanism at said discharge point for controlling the release of tokens from said ejector, a plurality of circuits variably controlling said release mechanism so as to vary the number of tokens delivered by said ejector during a predetermined cycle of operation, each circuit including an individual control switch and one of a plurality of contacts, a rotatable commutator normally engaging said con' tacts, and means initially energized by whichever oi' said circuits is energized, for rotating said ejector through a complete revolution and for simultaneously rotating said commutator so as to disengage the contact of the energized circuit, said ejector having a series of pockets which carry a plurality of tokens to or past the discharge point on each cycle of operation during which the release mechanism allows a varying number of tokens to be discharged from one or more of said pockets.

5.v In an electric token delivery device, a token magazine, a rotatable ejector adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to a discharge point, electrically operated release mechanism at said discharge point for controlling the release of tokens from said ejector, a plurality of circuits variably controlling said 'release mechanism so as to vary the number of tokens delivered by said ejector during a predetermined cycle of operation, each 'circuit including an individual control switch and one of a plurality of contacts, a rotatable commutator normally engaging said contacts, means initially energized by whichever of said 'circuits is energized, for rotating said ejector through a complete revolution and for simultaneously rotating said commutator so as to disengage the contact of the energized circuit, and 'means for maintaining a circuit through said rotating means after the control circuitv is opened, for completing the rotation of the ejector, said ejector havinga series of pockets which carry a plurality of tokens to or past the discharge point on each cycle 'of operation during which the release mechanism allows a varying number of tokens to be discharged from one or more of said Ipockets. Y

6. In an electric token delivery device, a token magazine, electrically operated release mechanism located at a token discharge point for controlling the delivery -of tokens from said magazine in varying numbers for a predetermined cycle of loperation, a rotatable commutator, a plurality oi circuits for variably controlling said release mechanism, each circuit including a contact engageable with said commutator and a control'switch for energizing said circuit as long as the latter is completed'through the commutator, said contacts being arranged to be successively disengaged by vthe commutator, whereby the number of tokens released'by said release mechanism will vary depending upon which circuit is energized, and electrical means, energized each time any one of said circuits is energized, for translating tokens from the magazine to a discharge point, said ejector having -a series of pockets which'carry a plurality of tokens to or past the discharge point on each cycle of operation during which the release mechanism allows a varying number of tokens t'o be discharged from one or more of said pockets.

7. In an electric token delivery device, a token magazine, an ejector adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to a discharge point, electrically operated release mechanism controlling the release of tokens by said ejector, said mechanism including gate means at said discharge point normally restraining the release of tokens and electrical means for opening said gate means for varying portions of the cycles of operation of said ejector, so as to release varying numbers of tokens, a plurality of circuits controlling said electrical means, each circuit including an individual control switch and a control common to all of said circuits and adapted to open said circuits in successive order so as to vary the intervals of openingof said gate means, and electric motor means, energized each time one of the aforesaid circuits is energized for driving said ejector in uniform cycles of movement, said ejector having a series of pockets which carry a 'plurality of tokens to or past the discharge point on each cycle of operation during which the release mechanism allows a varying number of tokens to be discharged from one or more of said pockets.

8. In an electric token delivery device, a token magazine, an ejector adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to a discharge point, means for causing predetermined rotation of said ejector during each cycle of operation, electrically operated release mechanism controlling the release of tokens by said ejector, said mechanism including gate means at said discharge point normally restraining the release of tokens and electrical means for opening said gate means for` varying portions of the cycles of operation of said ejector, so as to release varying numbers of tokens, a` plurality of circuits controlling said electrical means, each circuit including an individual control switch and a control common to all of said circuits and adapted to open said circuits in successive order so as to vary the intervals of opening of said gate means, said ejector having a series of pockets which carry a plurality of tokens to or past the discharge point on each cycle of operation during which the release mechanism allows a varying number of tokens to be discharged from one or more of said pockets.

9. In an electric token delivery device, a token magazine, an ejector adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to a discharge point, electrically operated release mechanism at said discharge point controlling the release of tokens by said ejector, electrical means for driving said ejector in uniform cycles of movement, and electrical means for causing said release mechanism to effect release of tokens during varying portions of such cycles of movement, saidlast-mentioned means comprising a plurality of circuits, each including an individual switch and a control common to all of said circuits adapted to complete anism allows a varying number of tokens to be discharged from one or more of saidpockets.

10. In an electric token delivery device,a token magazine, a rotatable ejector adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to a point of discharge, an electric motor device i'or rotating said ejector in step-by-step movements, a rotatable commutator, a plurality of circuits, each including a control switch and a contact engaging said commutator, electrically operated discharge gate mechanism at said discharge point controlled by said circuits, and adapted to release a varying number of tokens from said ejector, depending upon which circuit is energized, said contacts being arranged to be successively disengaged by said commutator as the latter rotates, whereby the number of tokens released by said gate mechanism will vary, depending upon which of said circuits is energized by the closing of its individual control switch, said ejector having a series of pockets which carry a plurality of tokens to or past the discharge point on each cycle of operation during which the release mechanism allows a varying number oi tokens to be discharged from one or more of said pockets.

11. In an electric token delivery device, a token magazine, an ejector adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to a discharge point, means for causing predetermined rotation of said ejector during each cycle of operation, electrically operated release mechanism controlling the release oi tokens by said ejector, said mechanism including gate means at said discharge point normally restraining the release of tokens, and electrical means for opening said gate means, a plurality of circuits for variably controlling said electrical means, each circuit including an individual control switch and a control common to all of said circuits and adapted to open said circuits in successive order, the extent of release of -tokens by said release mechanism varying in accordance with the interval between'the energization of one of said circuits by the closing of the control switch thereof, and the opening of said circuit by the common control, said ejector having a series of pockets which carry a' plurality of tokens to or past the discharge point on each cycle of operation during which the release mechanism allows a varying number of tokens to be discharged from one or more of said pockets.

12. In an electric token delivery device, a member having a discharge opening therein, a token magazine having a discharge mouth disposed above said member and oil'set from said opening, an ejector rotatably mounted above said member and having a series of pockets equidistant from the axis of rotation, adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to said -discharge opening, means for causing predetermined rotation oi said ejector during each cycle of operation, electrically operated gate means at the discharge point for closing said opening, and a plurality of remote-control circuits for variably controlling the opening of said gate means.

13. In an electric token delivery device, a member having a discharge opening therein, a token magazine having a discharge mouth disposed above said member and offset from said opening, an ejector rotatably mounted above said member and having a series of pockets equidistant from the axis of rotation, adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to said discharge opening, means for causing predetermined 'rotation of said ejector during each cycle of operation, electrically operated gate means at the discharge point for closing said opening, and a plurality oi remotecontrol circuits for variably controlling the opening of said gate means so Aas to vary the num'- ber of tokens delivered by said ejector during a given cycle of operation, each circuit including an individual control switch and a control common to all of said circuits and adapted, when one oi' said circuits is energized by the closing of its individual control switch, to successively open said circuits until it opens the energized circuit.

14. In an electric token delivery device, a member having a discharge opening therein, a token magazine having a discharge mouth disposed above said member and offset from said opening, an ejector rotatably mounted above said member and having a series of pockets equidistant from the axis of rotation, adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to said discharge opening, means for causing predetermined rotation of said ejector during each cycle of operation, a series of gates normally closing said pockets, an electrically operated selector located at the discharge point movable into a series of positions for opening one or more of said gates, and a plurality of remote-control circuits for variably controlling said selector.

15. In an electric token delivery device, a member having a discharge opening therein, a token magazine having a discharge mouth disposed above said member and oil'set from said opening, an ejector rotatably mounted above said member and having a series of pockets equidistant from the axis of rotation, adapted to translate tokens from said magazine to said discharge opening, means for causing predetermined rotation of said ejector during each cycle of operation, a series of gates normally closing said pockets, said gates each having a projecting member, an electrically operated rotatable selector at the discharge point having a plurality of fingers of different length, selectively movable into the path of one or more of said projecting members, for opening one or more o! said gates, and a plurality of remotecontrol circuits variably controlling said selector.

16. In an electric token delivery device, a token magazine, an ejector adapted to transport tokens from said magazine to a discharge point, electrically operated release mechanism at said discharge point for controlling the release of tokens from said ejector, a plurality of circuits for variably controlling said release mechanism, 'each of said circuits including a remote-control switch and a contact, a commutator including brush means initially engagingv all of said contacts at once, means, energized by whichever of said circuits is energized, for rotating said commutator until the live contact has been disengaged by the commutator, means for actuating said ejector, and means for energizing said actuating means, including a brush carried by said commutator and positioned to engage said live contact after the same has been disengaged by said brush means, said ejector having a series of pockets which carry a plurality of tokens to or past the discharge point on each cycle of operation during which the release mechanism allows a varying number of tokens to be discharged from one or more of said pockets.

17. In an electric token delivery device, a token magazine, an ejector adapted to successively transport tokens from said magazine to a discharge point, means for causing predetermined rotation of said ejector during each cycle of operation, electrically operated release mechanism at said discharge point for controlling the release of tokens, a rotatable commutator, a plurality of circuits for variably controlling said release mechanism, each circuit including a contact engageable with said commutator and a control switch for energizing said circuit as long as the latter is completed .through the commutator, said contacts being arranged to be successively disengaged by the commutator, whereby the number of tokens releasd by said release mechanism will vary in response to the circuit that is energized, and electrical means, energized each time any one of said circuits is energized, for oscillating said commutator to circuit-breaking position, returning it to its initial position, said ejector having a series of pockets which carry a plurality of tokens to or past the discharge point on each cycle of operation during which the release mechanism allows a varying number of tokens to be discharged from one or more of said pockets.

18. In an electric token delivery device, a supporting member having a discharge opening therein, an ejector rotatably mounted above said opening and having a series of pockets therein, means for causing predetermined rotation of said ejector during each cycle of operation, a token magazine offset from said discharging opening having adischarge mouth disposed above said ejector and adapted to deposit tokens in said pockets when the same are presented beneath said mouth, a series of gates, one associated with each of said pockets for closing the same, a plurality of remote-control electric circuits having control switches therein, electrically controlled means at the discharge point operable through the closing of said switches individually for causing the opening of a number of said gates depending upon which switch is closed, to thereby cause the discharge of said tokens in varying quantities having predetermined relation to the individual switches.

19. In an electric token delivery device, a supporting memberv having a discharge opening therein, an ejector rotatably mounted above said opening and having a series of pockets therein,

means for causing predetermined rotation of said ejector during each cycle of operation, said ejector pockets being of varying token-holding capacity, a token magazine oiset from said discharge opening having a discharge mouth disposed above said ejector and adapted to deposit tokens in said pockets when the same are presented beneath said mouth, a series of gates, one associated with each of said pockets for closing the same, a plurality of remote-control electric circuits having control switches therein, electrically controlled means at the discharge point operable through the closing of said switches individually for causing the opening of a number of said gates depending upon which switch is closed, to thereby cause the discharge of said tokens in varying quantities having predetermined relation to the individual switches.

20. In an electric token delivery device, a. supporting member having a discharge opening therein, an ejector rotatably mounted above said opening and having a series of pockets therein, means for causing predetermined rotation of said ejector during each cycle of operation, a token magazine offset from said discharge opening having a discharge mouth disposed above said ejector and adapted to deposit tokens in said pockets when the same are presented beneath said mouth, a series of gates, one associated with each of said pockets for closing the same, a plurality of remote-control electric circuits having control switches therein, electrically controlled means at the discharge point operable through the closing of said switches individually for causing the opening of a number of said gates depending lupon which switch is closed, to thereby cause the discharge of said tokens in varying quantities having predetermined relation to the individual switches, said last means including a member adapted to be projected into the path of movement of one or more of said gates as the latter are carried by the rotation of said ejector past said member.

BERT E. MILLS. 

